Special Education

The Special Education Service Area offers programs and services to students, staff and families in Marquette and Alger County school districts. Marquette-Alger RESA consultants provide direct assistance to students within the school setting. The Marquette-Alger RESA Early On Program works closely with children under the age of 3 and their families at home and in group settings. Marquette-Alger RESA staff also work with local districts to identify special education service and staff development needs. Considerable effort is devoted to planning, organizing, and supporting staff development opportunities for teachers, administrators, aides, and parents to acquire new skills and strategies that facilitate the success of students and the growth of staff. The Special Education Service Area also serves as an extension of the state Department of Education to monitor districts for special education compliance, grants, and state reporting requirements.

Description of Job Functions

Autism Consultant

Kortney Markkola

Barb Potts

The Autism Consultant offers consultative services to local schools for children and families with Autism Spectrum Disorder.

Technical Assistance Officer for Monitoring & Data Collection

Theresa King

The position provides technical assistance for compliance with the Michigan Special Education Rules and Federal Regulations (IDEA) to local school districts and Marquette-Alger RESA staff. Other responsibilities include: assisting local school districts in the Continuous Improvement & Monitoring System (CIMS-2), student assistance teams, providing information to parents of students with disabilities and local agencies regarding special education.

Consultant for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing

Kris Flynn

The Consultant for the Deaf/Hard of Hearing provides direct instruction for students who are deaf or hearing impaired. Specialized equipment is available for students. Consultative support is also offered to school staff and parents.

Teacher Specialist for the Visually Impaired

Murray Bonk

The teacher specialist for the Visually Impaired provides direct instruction for students who are blind or visually impaired. Braille writers and other specialized equipment are available for students. Teacher specialist support is also offered to school staff and parents.

Executive Director of Special Education

Tammy Nyen

The Director of Special Education administers Marquette-Alger RESA Special Education Programs and Services. The director also assists in the coordination of services in the local districts.

Director of Early Childhood Education

Lyndsay Carey

The Early On Program Coordinator organizes services to infants and young children under the age of 3 and their families. The consultant also serves on the Early On Program assessment team and coordinates services from other agencies.

Occupational Therapists

Diana Ashley

Emily Barglind

Mary Beth Coyne

Savanna Duggan 

Occupational Therapists provide direct instruction to students who may need assistance with motor and sensory skills, feeding, positioning and activities of daily living. Consultative support is also offered to school staff and parents.

Orientation and Mobility Specialist

Christine Blake

The Orientation and Mobility Specialist provides assistance to blind and visually impaired students to teach independent mobility and functional living skills

Physical Therapist

Dawn Gregory

Physical Therapists provide direct instruction to students who may need assistance with gross motor skills and physical activities. Training in the use of specialized equipment and activities is offered to school staff and parents.

Psychologists

Stacy Gaule Psy.S

Janette Polkinghorn Ph.D.

Holly Sundman Ed.S.

School Psychologists conduct evaluations and behavioral assessments of students and consult with school staff. They offer assistance to both special and general education students.

School Social Worker

Nicole Lackey

Amy Nelson

Heather Sullivan

The School Social Worker conducts evaluations and behavioral assessments of students and consult with school staff. They offer assistance to both special and general education students.

Special Education Administrative Assistants

Meghan LaBoeuf ~ Early On Program Services

Renee Pederson ~ Assistant to the SE Director and Fiscal Reporting

Amy Talo ~ SE Records, Data and Professional Development

Speech-Language Pathologists

Alexandra Anderson

Gabriella Gilfoy

Jared Koski

Speech-Language Pathologists conduct evaluations and provide services for individuals in the local school districts, Early On (birth-3 years old) and other settings.

MARESA Contracted Services & Duties

Assistive Technology Center

Stacey Maijala, MCD, CCC-SLP

The Assistive Technology Center (ATC) at MARESA assists school staff in creating an accessible learning environment for students with many types of disabilities.

Parent Partner

Jennifer Frazier

The Parent Partner provides consultative assistance to parents and school staff regarding special education programs and services.

Marquette Alger Resolution Service

715 W. Washington St. Suite A

Marquette, MI  49855

906-226-8600

marsmediation@yahoo.com